Module OSX-1006:Anglesey Geology Field Course

Module Facts

Run by School of Ocean Sciences

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser:
Dr Dei Huws

Overall aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to widen the student geological field experience by a series of field visits to key sites on the Isle of Anglesey. The module is designed to complement and extend on allied First Year geoscience modules. Students will learn to identify rock types based on hand-specimen mineralogy and to interpret field outcrop context on a larger scale. The fieldwork will be contextualised in terms of the tectonic history and evolution of the rocks making-up the island. The module also aims to develop communication skills by giving the chance to develop education material for a selection of the sites, suitable for public dissemination.

Course content

Anglesey holds a rich geological record, evidence by the fact that it has UNESCO Global Geopark status (GeoMon) and includes a world type locality for Melange, which outcrops in several places across the island. The sheer period of time covered by the outcropping rocks, and the variety of lithotypes available make the island an ideal educational site. Recent development of understanding in plate tectonics (Ocean Plate Stratigraphy), combined with a much improved coverage of dated rock locations, means that we now see the Precambrian geology of Anglesey in a different light than we did ten years ago. Furthermore, the metamorphosed and then younger strata reflect the long journey that the local crust has taken, starting from a point near to the southern pole, ending-up at our present position, 53 degrees north of the Equator.

This module aims to take advantage of this incredible opportunity for student learning - one where the 'big picture' story can be evidenced on the outcrop scale. It will do so by a central core of field site visits, supplemented by a short lecture series that will give the general background, the 'Anglesey Story', as well as specific preambles to each visit.

Students will be asked to create public information output that explains the geological context and outcrops for selected sites - thereby putting their knowledge on test and developing important science communication skills. In addition, students' knowledge and understanding will be put to the test via a short online quiz.

Assessment Criteria

good

50% to 60%

Blog:
Appropriate and relevant text that shows the author has sourced information somewhat beyond the set-reading and has shown broad and deep knowledge in the production of the blog. The work shows some evidence of synthesis of information and a good grasp of the geological ideas under consideration. The standard of presentation is good, or better for the best in this category.

Test:
Comprehensive understanding of the geology of Anglesey as introduced in this module. Typically, good work would be marked out as including correct answers to the slightly more subtle, probing questions set.

threshold

40% to 50%
Blog:
Mainly appropriate and relevant text that shows the author has sourced information from the set-reading and has shown basic knowledge of the field sites and of the geology of Anglesey. The work might shows minor evidence of synthesis of information and a rudimentary grasp of the geological ideas under consideration. The standard of presentation is acceptable, but no more.

Test:
Some understanding of the geology of Anglesey as introduced in this module. Typically, the threshold level of performance would involve answering the more fundamental questions correctly, but struggling with the higher order tasks.

excellent

70% to 100%

Blog:
Incisive, relevant text that shows the author has sourced well beyond the set-reading and has shown not only broad and deep knowledge, but also elements of critical analysis. The work shows clear evidence of synthesis of information and a comprehensive grasp of the geological ideas under consideration. The standard of presentation is near-professional, or even better for the very best.

Test:
Near complete understanding of the geology of Anglesey as introduced in this module. Typically, excellent work would be marked out as including correct answers to the more subtle, probing questions set.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the broad geological evolution of Anglesey within a plate tectonic framework, and will have been able to exemplify this with knowledge from individual field sites.

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated an understanding of the central paradigms in the Earth Sciences: uniformitarianism, the extent of geological time, plate tectonics, the rates of Earth processes, and examples of major events in Earth history as evidenced by the geology of Anglesey..

Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated an ability to communicate fundamental geological ideas in a way that would be comprehensible and attractive to the general public whilst retaining scientific accuracy.

Assessment Methods

Type

Name

Description

Weight

Field guide for Anglesey geology site

50

Online test - geology of Anglesey

50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours

Lecture

Six, 1 hour lectures as a prelude to each of the six field visits.
Two, 1 hour lectures as general introduction to the geology of Anglesey

8

Private study

Private study, preparing assessment submissions

73

Seminar

One hour session in relation to preparing the individual blogs

1

Fieldwork

Six, 3 hour field visits to sites around Anglesey.

18

Transferable skills

Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media

Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software

Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance

Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives

Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information

Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others

Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.

Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations

Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.

Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Resources

Resource implications for students

No more than already stated in general implications i.e. need for field clothing (waterproofs, warm layers, suitable footwear)